Index device



F. R. ERBSLOH Oct 9, 1934.

INDEX DEVICE Filed; April 15 1932 I8 INVENTOR ATTORNE Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES INDEX DEVICE Felix R. Erbsloh, New York, N. Y., assignor to Sainberg & Co. Inc., New York, N. Y; a corporation of New York Application April 15, 1932, Serial No. 605,494

Claims.

This invention relates to an indexing device and more particularly to a novel device for quickly and conveniently indexing telephone numbers.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel device in which a. frame is provided for containing alphabetically arranged information on sheets which may be slidably mounted in a manner to quickly and conveniently expose for inspection a maximum amount of surface on any one of said sheets.

Other objects and advantages may be understood from the specification and the accompanying drawing which shows one embodiment of this invention and wherein similar reference numerals indicate similar parts and wherein in the the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-section on line 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is an isometric drawing of the device in its preferred form;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section showing the construction of the indexing tabs;

Fig. 4 shows a modified form of construction of index tabs;

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section on line 55 of Fig. 2.

While the present invention may be adapted to be used for various purposes, the preferred form will be described as used for the purpose of a telephone index.

A frame comprising a body 5, having each side upturned, and a tightly fitting cover 6 having downwardly turning sides, which are adapted to encase the upward turned sides, may be provided to form, when assembled, a box-like structure in which index cards may be placed in a suitable manner to be described later.

The cover 6 is provided with an aperture '7 through which any one of a plurality of index cards 8 may be observed. The index card may be of suitable material for receiving written or typewritten entries and may be ruled in columns or any other suitable way for the purpose desired. The bottom edge of each card is folded parallel to said edge and formed in a manner suitable to offer a projection wherein the card may be readily grasped to slide it. The preferred form is shown in Fig. 3 in which a triangular projection 9 is formed by making three folds and lapping the first fold 9a back and parallel to the main body of the sheet and afiixing it thereto by gluing or other suitable methods so that the second fold 10 will form a, horizontal surface substantially perpendicular to the main body of the card, and the third fold will form a diagonally slanting surface from the outer edge of the horizontal fold H to the bottom of the completed card.

A plurality of these cards are placed in the box-like frame with the triangular projections at the lower end of the cards and projecting cutwardly toward the aperture. The side edges of the cards extend on both sides under the edges 14 of the cover 6 which holds the cards in the box and serves as a guide and if desired as a friction holding means for the cards as will be explained later (Fig. 5). Along the bottom edge of the frame and within said frame is mounted a square box-like supporting structure 12 which extends the full width of the frame. The top side 11 provides a false bottom to the frame on which the bottom index card rests when the frame is vertical and acts merely as a limiting member for the movement of the card if the frame is laid flat.

For the purpose of all further description, it will be assumed that the device is held upright as shown in the drawing. The cards are placed in the frame box so that the bottom card rests with its bottom edge on the surface 11, the next card is placed on top with its bottom edge resting on the horizontal fold 10 of the formed-up portion of the bottom card, the third card from the bottom is placed on top with its bottom edge resting on the horizontal fold 10 of the second card and so on; thus the cards are aligned in echelon within the frame as shown in Fig. 1. Indicia for the purpose of selecting the proper cards may be marked on the sloping or diagonally formed surface 9b (Fig. 3).

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated each card is divided into two main columns with the indicia relating to the information adjacent its corresponding column. Thus if a name commencing with the letter E is required the card bearing the index number E is lifted exposing all the names listed under that letter on the underneath card.

The triangular projection 9 offers a ridge under which the fingers may be inserted to lift or move the card and when one card is grasped to be moved upwardly all of the cards resting on top of that card are lifted also as shown in Fig. 2.

The depth of the frame may be such, if desired, that the edges 14 of the cover 6 may press slightly against the projecting corner 15 (Fig. 1) of the top card which will in turn transmit slight pressure between all of the cards whereby sufficient friction is created so that any of the cards which are lifted will hold in the lifted position as shown in Fig. 2 or if desired they may be packed loosely so that they will drop down when they are released.

The blank surface 16 of the cover 6 and the top card 17 may be used for suitable advertising, thus increasing the utility of the index.

The last or bottom information-carrying card of the index device may be fastened directly in a suitable manner to'the back of the framed or this card may be dispensed with if desired and suitable rulings or columnar arrangements may be indicated directly on the back 5.

Fig. 4 shows a modified form of construction for the indexing members at the bottom ofthe. cards in which two flat pieces of suitable material 18 and 19 are fixed securely to the card 20. The upper piece 19 being narrower than the under piece 18 to permit the fingers to grip the lower edge of the piece 19 to slide it. The edges 21 terminating in the same plane will serve for. the bottom edge of the next card to be placed on top, to rest on in the same manner as the bottom edge of the card rests on the surface 10 in the preferred embodiment.

While thefundamental and novel featuresof the invention as applied to a preferred form and asingle modification have been shown and described and pointed out, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device il lustratedpand in its operation maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. I intend to be limited therefore only as indicated by the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is,

1. In combination, a plurality of informationbearing sheets arranged successively one behind another and with their lower ends in echelon formation, a projecting index tab provided at the lower edge of each sheet, and a holder for movably supporting the sheets and provided with an opening through which the sheets may be selectively exposed upon their being moved by manipulation of said tabs.

2. In combination, a plurality of stiff information-bearing sheets arranged one behind another and having index means at one edge of each arranged in echelon formation and a holder having guide means for constraining the sheets to slidable-movement, and an opening through which information on the sheets may be selectively exposed as indicated by the indices upon movement of a portion of the sheets relatively in the guide,

said holder having an enclosed portion extending beyond the opening into which the sheets abov the exposed sheetmove. 3. In'combinatioma" plurality of informationbearing sheets arranged one behind another and having index tabs extending across the lower edge of said sheets, said lower edges being arranged in echelon formation, and a holder having guide means for constraining said sheets to slidable movement and an opening through which information on the sheets may be selectively exposed as indicated by the index tabs upon movement'of a portion of the sheets relatively in the guide.

' 4. In combination, a plurality of index cards, one behind another, a common holder for the cards formed to expose the cards and having means directly coacting with the cards to slidably mount them for movement relative to each other and relative to the holder, and operation elements for the cards, each for moving its card to expose the'fcard directly behind the moved card.

.5. In combination, a series of index cards arranged one behind another, a holder having means for slidably supporting the index cards for movement'relative to each other and to the holder, and tabs provided on the cards and arranged in echelon formation with the tab of one card resting on the tab of the card behind.

FELIX R. ERBSLOH. 

